Touch panels with static and dynamic force sensing capabilities

Abstract

A touch panel includes at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, at least one first force sensing electrode, a second force sensing electrode, an elastomeric layer between the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode and the at least one first force sensing electrode, and a piezo-electric layer between the least one first force sensing electrode and the second force sensing electrode, where the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the at least one first force sensing electrode, and the second force sensing electrode are coupled to a sensing integrated circuit capable of sensing a projected capacitance touch, a piezo-electric force, and an elastomeric force simultaneously.

1 . A touch panel comprising:
 at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, each of which extends along a predetermined direction;   at least one first force sensing electrode, each of which extends along the predetermined direction, and being opposite to the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode in one to one relationship;   a second force sensing electrode;   an elastomeric layer between the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode and the at least one first force sensing electrode; and   a piezo-electric layer between the least one first force sensing electrode and the second force sensing electrode.   
     
     
         2 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one shared sensing electrode between the elastomeric layer and the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode.   
     
     
         3 . The touch panel of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one shared sensing electrode extends along a first direction; and   the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction.   
     
     
         4 . The touch panel of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an insulating layer between the at least one shared sensing electrode and the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode.   
     
     
         5 . The touch panel of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the at least one shared sensing electrode is used as a shield electrode or a transmit electrode for force sensing.   
     
     
         6 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein:
 a deformation of the elastomeric layer relates to a static force of pressing the touch panel; and   a charge generated by the piezo-electric layer is related to a dynamic force on the touch panel.   
     
     
         7 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a display stack, wherein the elastomeric layer and the piezo-electric layer are disposed on one side of the display stack. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , further comprising a display stack, wherein the elastomeric layer and the piezo-electric layer are disposed on opposite sides of the display stack. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the at least one first force sensing electrode, and the second force sensing electrode are coupled to a sensing integrated circuit capable of sensing a projected capacitance touch, a piezo-electric force, and an elastomeric force simultaneously. 
     
     
         12 . The touch panel of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the at least one first force sensing electrode, the second force sensing electrode, and the at least one shared sensing electrode are coupled to a sensing integrated circuit capable of sensing a projected capacitance touch, a piezo-electric force, and an elastomeric force simultaneously. 
     
     
         13 . A touch panel comprising:
 a capacitive touch sensing electrode layer having at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, each of which extends along a predetermined direction;   a first force sensing electrode layer having at least one first force sensing electrode, each of which extends along the predetermined direction, and being opposite to the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode in one to one relationship;   a second force sensing electrode layer having a second force sensing electrode;   an elastomeric layer between the capacitive touch sensing electrode layer and the first force sensing electrode layer;   a piezo-electric layer between the first force sensing electrode layer and the second force sensing electrode layer; and   a shared sensing electrode layer having at least one shared sensing electrode between the elastomeric layer and the capacitive touch sensing electrode layer,   wherein the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the at least one first force sensing electrode, the second force sensing electrode, and the at least one shared sensing electrode are coupled to a sensing integrated circuit capable of sensing a projected capacitance touch, a piezo-electric force, and an elastomeric force simultaneously.   
     
     
         14 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the at least one shared sensing electrode extends along a first direction; and   the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode extends along a second direction intersecting the first direction.   
     
     
         15 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 an insulating layer between the shared sensing electrode layer and the capacitive touch sensing electrode layer.   
     
     
         16 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the at least one shared sensing electrode is used as a shield electrode or a transmit electrode for force sensing.   
     
     
         17 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , wherein:
 a deformation of the elastomeric layer relates to a static force of pressing the touch panel; and   a charge generated by the piezo-electric layer is related to a dynamic force on the touch panel.   
     
     
         18 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , further comprising a display stack, wherein the elastomeric layer and the piezo-electric layer are disposed on one side of the display stack. 
     
     
         19 . The touch panel of  claim 18 , wherein the display stack comprises an organic electroluminescent layer or a liquid crystal layer. 
     
     
         20 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , further comprising a display stack including an organic electroluminescent layer, wherein the elastomeric layer and the piezo-electric layer are disposed on opposite sides of the display stack. 
     
     
         21 . The touch panel of  claim 1 , wherein a width of each of the at least one first force sensing electrode is larger than that of corresponding one of the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the width being a length in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction. 
     
     
         22 . The touch panel of  claim 13 , wherein a width of each of the at least one first force sensing electrode is larger than that of corresponding one of the at least one capacitive touch sensing electrode, the width being a length in a direction perpendicular to the predetermined direction.